Where are WEee in Africa?FINDINGS FROM THE BASEL CONVENTION

E-WASTE AFRICA PROGRAMME

(Photo www.terradaily.com 2014)

Policy and Legislation

Basel Convention on the Control of

Transboundary Movements of

Hazardous Waste, 1989

(Annex Viii and iX)

2002 & 2006 – Conference to

the Parties

Bamako Convention on the Ban on the

Import into Africa and the

Control of Transboundary

Movement and

Management of Hazardous

Waste

Role of Information Communication Technology (ICT)

in Africa1.Demand for

ICT rises as Africa strives to develop

economically

2.Market for recycled

Electric and electronic

devices (demand and

Supply)

3.Gives rise to a regulated Eee refurb

Industry(Photo 2. www.euroafrica-ict.org)

Findings of E-waste Africa Programme

5 countries – Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Benin, Liberia seen as low down on the Human Development Index (HDI) and low but rising Eee penetration

With the flow of used Eee into the country, comes the inevitable end of life products (e-waste), near end of life products and products with a short lifespan

A major exporter of Eee and E-waste are European countries, in particular the Uk through shipping brokers or agents into ports like Ghana and Nigeria

Country Year Imports of Eee

Used Eee Eee in Use E-waste Generated

(tonnes) (tonnes)

Benin 2009 16,000 30% 55,000 9,700

Ivory Coast 20009 25,000 48% 100,000 15,000

Ghana 2009 215,000 70% 984,000 179,000

Liberia 2009 3,500 10% 17,000 NA

Nigeria 2010 1,200,000 35-70% 6,800,000 1,100,000

1.• High volume of e-waste and lack of clear policy regarding import

and collection leads to an informal recycling industry

2.

• Issues in the management of this waste has negative impacts on the environment and on human health (cable burning, dumping of CRTs, soil and ash contamination)

3.• Socio-economic repercussions due to casual nature of the

labour force in terms of worker welfare etc

Problems With Imports

Due to the unrefined dismantling processes, certain scarce metals are lost such as gold found in Printed Wiring Boards (PWBS)

(Photo 4,5 www.newsmongabay.com 2014)

Benefits Of ImportsThe use of best practice dismantling technology could have beneficial effects for the environment and the economy – pc mining, job creation

(Photo www.biomassmagazine,com 2014)

Recommendations

The benefits of ICT are crucial to a developing country such as Africa, stricter policy on imports could be detrimental to Africas economic wellbeing

E-waste must be managed and workers trained in best practice and due care in regard to handling hazardous materials

Africa should focus on developing a formal manual dismantling industry, thereby taking advantage of the large labour force. Residual fractions such as precious metals could be traded as comodities on the market.

International co-operation is needed in order to limit imports of e-waste

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes will benefit Africa

ReferencesImages 1.http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Africa_to_generate_more_e-waste_than_Europe_by_2017_999.html2. http://euroafrica-ict.org/events/archives-cooperation-forums/3. http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/9384/fiberight-awarded-msw-supply-agreement4.,5. http://news.mongabay.com/2012/0430-hance-ewasteland-interview.htmlOnline• African Union Treaty, (1991). Bamako Convention on the ban on the Import into Africa and the Control of

Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa 1991 (Online) Available: http://www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons-convention/related-international-agreements/toxic-chemicals-and-the-environment/bamako-convention/ (Accessed:6/2/14)

• Brigden, K., Labunksa, I., Santillo, D. and Johnson, P. (2008). Chemical contamiantion at e-waste recycling and disposal sites in Accra and Ghana. Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Greenpeace International Available:http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/chemical-contaminants-at-e-wa-pdf. (Accessed 6/2/14)

• Convention of the Parties,. (2002). 2002 Basel Convention Technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of elemental mercury and wastes containing or contaminated with mercury (Online) Available:http://www.basel.int/TheConvention/ConferenceoftheParties/ReportsandDecisions/tabid/3303/Default.aspx. (Accessed: 6/2/14)

• United Nations,. (1989). 1989 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. Basel convention (Online)Available:http://www.basel.int/Portals/4/BaselConvention/docs/text/BaselConventionText-e.pdf. (Accessed: 6/2/14)

• Secretariat of the Basel Convention,. (2011), Where are WEEE in Africa? Findings from the Basel Convention E-waste Africa Programme (Online) Available:http://www.basel.int/Default.aspx?tabid=2553. (Accessed 6/2/14)